AFL-CIO Blog

  • AFL-CIO Releases New Ad, 'We Are Winning'
    AFL-CIO Releases New Ad, 'We Are Winning' The AFL-CIO today launched a television ad campaign highlighting the wave of collective action sweeping the country. From union organizing victories to the defeat of “right to work” in Missouri, working people are on the rise. As AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka puts it, “Something is happening in America.... When we stand together, we have the power.”  Working people are tearing down a broken status quo to advance our movement, build a fairer economy and usher in a more just society. Here are just a few of the recent wins the labor movement has secured in that fight: Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 08/20/2018 - 11:19 — Aug 20
  • AFT Identifies Companies that Profit from Family Separation Policies
    AFT Identifies Companies that Profit from Family Separation Policies AFT One of the most heartbreaking news stories of 2018 is the Trump administration's decision to separate undocumented immigrant families that enter the United States.The AFL-CIO, the AFT and other advocates for working people have condemned this policy and called for families to be reunited. As part of this effort, the AFT has issued a new report to inform pension trustees and the working people they represent about companies that are profiting off of family separation and mass incarceration. First, there are the companies that directly profit from the family separation policy. They build and operate the facilities used to detain immigrants or provide support services to those facilities. These companies include:
    • CoreCivic: Formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America, the nation's largest private prison company owns and operates eight immigration detention centers.
    • GEO Group: A company that operates private prisons and operates family detention centers.
    • General Dynamics: A top defense contractor, the company provides case management services at youth detention centers.
    Second, there are the companies that provide financing to CoreCivic and GEO Group. These companies include:
    • BlackRock
    • JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    • Wells Fargo
    These companies may hold direct shares in the companies that profit from the policy, or they may have indirect investments in those companies through index, private equity or hedge funds.  AFT will issue a follow-up report that identifies individual investment managers who profit from private prisons and the mass incarceration of people of color. Read the full report to learn more. Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 08/17/2018 - 13:57     — Aug 17
  • Do They Care? What Working People Are Doing This Week
    Do They Care? What Working People Are Doing This Week Bricklayers Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week. A. Philip Randolph Institute:
    Our president is one of the greatest! https://t.co/x2AkDm28fe— APRI National (DC) (@APRI_National) August 15, 2018
    Actors' Equity Association:
    This week’s #EquityWorks highlight is of @AmericanPlayers. Read a quick overview of the current LORT Agreement here - https://t.co/sZsub3QPqi pic.twitter.com/Pe31fLA2zC— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) August 16, 2018
    AFGE:
    California AFGE members visited their state legislators yesterday to pass #AJR51 and send a message to Washington: #EOHellNO. pic.twitter.com/jHCJR4zgik— AFGE (@AFGENational) August 17, 2018
    AFSCME:
    Republican state legislator in Maine admits he was wrong about public-sector unions https://t.co/fxAsD1CtOx via @AFSCME93 #1u #union— AFSCME (@AFSCME) August 17, 2018
    AFT:
    "@rweingarten, president of the AFT (the parent union of the @OhioNursesAssoc) issued a statement calling the move a 'cruel, callous move that will hurt the Youngstown community.'" More on the closing of Northside Regional Medical Center in Youngstown: https://t.co/Xbp1hgBoFh— AFT (@AFTunion) August 17, 2018
    Air Line Pilots:
    Aviation Industry Urges U.S. Senate Leadership to Pass a Long-Term @FAANews Reauthorization: https://t.co/8UtoSB37aD @GAManufacturers— ALPA (@WeAreALPA) August 15, 2018
    Alliance for Retired Americans:
    Judge Kavanaugh is a threat to our healthcare and he is dangerous for working and older Americans. Call your Senator now at 866-828-4162 and tell them to reject his nomination! https://t.co/j0dZlsCOAq #SaveACA #1u #ForThePeople pic.twitter.com/nR8xfotCoW— Alliance Retirees (@ActiveRetirees) August 16, 2018
    Amalgamated Transit Union:
    Metro must pay $82 million in wage increases to thousands of workers, arbitration panel says https://t.co/ywhRNX0aoQ #1u #publictransit #transit— ATU, Transit Union (@ATUComm) August 16, 2018
    Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance:
    APALA San Francisco Chapter hosted a press conference with partners (@AnakbayanUSA and others) last week after a successful action to pressure community festival, Pistahan, to disassociate itself with anti-worker company, NutriAsia. https://t.co/9HxxsMMQaE— APALA (@APALAnational) August 13, 2018
    Association of Flight Attendants-CWA:
    Today, we remember the six crew members, 147 passengers and two people killed on the ground after Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed shortly after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport on August 16, 1987. https://t.co/lXXwNXMx4H pic.twitter.com/qPpvCw7ZN5— AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) August 16, 2018
    BCTGM:
    From the Convention floor: All Resolutions submitted by the BCTGM General Executive Board have been adopted. Go here to read the full text of the Resolutions: https://t.co/vdzBkakxfY | #BCTGM2018— BCTGM International (@BCTGM) August 14, 2018
    Boilermakers:
    MT @GovernorBullock called #Boilermakers L-D239 lockout a "unicorn," bc the state hasn't had a union lockout since the 80s. Even more reason to #standwiththreeforks. Thank you for standing w/ L-D239, Governor! #MTnews, @mtaflcio, @bobfunk https://t.co/dFJwEPxNp5 pic.twitter.com/0XaYXmneL3— Boilermakers Union (@boilermakernews) August 15, 2018
    Bricklayers:
    Please sign this petition to expose unsafe working conditions & the lack of Local labor at Cornell University: https://t.co/carm926YAv #DoesCornellCare #1u #construction @CornellUnivers pic.twitter.com/6YCpdUsXlX— Bricklayers Union (@IUBAC) August 17, 2018
    Coalition of Black Trade Unionists:
    Children yet to be born will inherit royalty: the Queen of Soul. #arethafranklin #RESPECT pic.twitter.com/6vlLv2aYqL— CBTU (@CBTU72) August 16, 2018
    Communications Workers of America:
    CWAers at @verizon & at Verizon Connected Solutions voted to ratify a 4yr extension of their contracts. The extensions provide for additional wage increases and enhanced retirement benefits for over 34k Verizon workers. RT to congratulate the workers! #1u https://t.co/b6lFVYBml5— CWA (@CWAUnion) August 17, 2018
    Department for Professional Employees:
    Nonprofit professionals see 👀👇#NationalNonprofitDay #1u https://t.co/2UM8govSIu— DPE (@DPEaflcio) August 17, 2018
    Electrical Workers:
    Meet the unsung heroes following firefighters into California's fire-ravaged zones, putting themselves in harm's way to bring the power back. #ThankALineman https://t.co/kQec9PUgd4— IBEW (@IBEW) August 16, 2018
    Farm Labor Organizing Committee:
    Q: What is FLOC (Farm Labor Organizing Committee) up to these days?A: Many things! But we wanted to update on one of our main actions. We want to put pressure on Reynolds American, now owned by British American Tobacco. pic.twitter.com/FLuNDNS11R— Farm Labor Organizing Committee (@SupportFLOC) August 17, 2018
    Federal Employees:
    As the White House wages war against unionized federal workers, NFFE-IAM members are fighting back by sharing their stories about labor’s pride, power and patriotism. In part one of an on-going series we meet Lisa Fellshttps://t.co/V5fYd2XE6b— NFFE (@NFFE_Union) August 15, 2018
    Fire Fighters:
    Judge sides with San Antonio #firefighters #union https://t.co/psF6E40FRZ— IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) August 17, 2018
    International Labor Communications Association:
    There's still time to enter the 2018 ILCA Labor Media Contest! It's the first and largest contest exclusively for labor communicators. Learn more and enter online here: https://t.co/0vYJIJliy2 pic.twitter.com/PSsTmvV4D9— Labor Communications (@ILCAonline) August 16, 2018
    Ironworkers:
    #PAsmart aims to double registered #apprentices by #2025. Registered apprentices in #Pennsylvania has increased by 20% from (13,282 to 16,000) since Gov. Wolf established the Apprenticeship and Training Office in 2016. https://t.co/sHbXyZpBWa #ThursdayThoughts— Ironworkers. (@TheIronworkers) August 16, 2018
    Jobs with Justice:
    If he's confirmed, Brett Kavanaugh and Betsy DeVos will team up to destroy public schools as we know it. We can't allow that to happen. https://t.co/JBGT6ZwMXM #StopKavanaugh #WhatsAtStake— Jobs With Justice (@jwjnational) August 17, 2018
    Laborers:
    DYK a total of 156 East Tennessee #bridges are structurally deficient? #FixOurBridges #InfrastructureMatters https://t.co/nVvGxoDjSv— LIUNA (@LIUNA) August 16, 2018
    LCLAA:
    LCLAA team at our “All White Night Celebration in Honor and Recognition of the Resilience of Puerto Rican Families” 🇵🇷 #lclaa18 pic.twitter.com/RA2G95pdeI— LCLAA (@LCLAA) August 11, 2018
    Machinists:
    Members who attended our Safety & Health Conference in Maryland toured the Grand Lodge, including our video production studio. pic.twitter.com/prwqy55Ffm— Machinists Union (@MachinistsUnion) August 17, 2018
    Metal Trades:
    A Union Ironworker Just Won the Wisconsin Democratic Primary for Paul Ryan's Seat! https://t.co/uK14dmPSkL https://t.co/uK14dmPSkL— Metal Trades Dept. (@metaltradesafl) August 15, 2018
    Mine Workers:
    Time is running out to #savepensionssavelives #FixIt! pic.twitter.com/lH4K4KfC82— United Mine Workers (@MineWorkers) August 5, 2018
    NABTU:
    Booker: NABTU supports "responsible regulations that protect the environment, public health and worker safety. We believe they are critical to responsible infrastructure development that lasts for decades and allows for future generations to use these invaluable assets."— The Building Trades (@BldgTrdsUnions) August 16, 2018
    National Air Traffic Controllers Association:
    On Aug. 5, Cleveland Center (ZOB) hosted a solidarity event for its members and those at surrounding facilities. The event was held at Play: CLE, which bills itself as Ohio’s largest indoor adventure park. https://t.co/rJ1nWXuYy3 pic.twitter.com/TO7Dpp52dJ— NATCA (@NATCA) August 16, 2018
    National Association of Letter Carriers:
    #TBT of Kathy Meador who launched @stampouthunger in Middle Tennessee back in 1994! Picture courtesy of @2HarvestMidTN.For photo submissions, please send them to [email protected]! pic.twitter.com/kNWMJ5RxhV— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) August 16, 2018
    National Day Laborer Organizing Network:
    It’s time to denounce those officials enabling the despicable policies of mass deportations and family separations — starting with @DanaRohrabacher. #UnmaskHate #DefendSanctuary #ICEoutofOC pic.twitter.com/SxLIeB7MOJ— NDLON (@NDLON) August 9, 2018
    National Domestic Workers Alliance:
    Happy #NationalNonprofitDay! We are committed to the women who care for this country. We are Black, we are women of color, we are immigrants. Please consider making a donation to support our work!https://t.co/BZ1XjMJoLK— Domestic Workers (@domesticworkers) August 17, 2018
    National Nurses United:
    Thank you @chelliepingree for standing with nurses in our fight for economic justice! Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, representing #Maine's 1st District, has cosponsored the Inclusive Prosperity Act (aka the Robin Hood Tax on Wall Street).#TaxWallStreet #MEpolitics pic.twitter.com/p4gz4WUzwH— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) August 17, 2018
    National Taxi Workers Alliance:
    NYC BECOMES FIRST CITY IN THE NATION TO REGULATE APP DISPATCH COMPANIES!!! This victory belongs to the yellow cab, green car, Uber, Lyft, black car and livery driver who united in our union to fight for justice! READ OUR STATEMENT https://t.co/UmhSuIcPJU— NY Taxi Workers (@NYTWA) August 8, 2018
    News Guild:
    .@pressfreedom finds that the U.S. is the third deadliest country for journalists at this point in 2018. We're behind Afghanistan and Syria. https://t.co/va6c10NNpa#right2report— NewsGuild (@news_guild) August 17, 2018
    NFL Players Association:
    Happy birthday to the late, great Gene Upshaw. His 25 years of leadership and service left a lasting imprint that still benefits our union and player members today. 🎥: https://t.co/AJv8G8AHIM— NFLPA (@NFLPA) August 15, 2018
    Office and Professional Employees:
    Put your money where your values are & buy #unionmade! Our extensive library of union-made products will help you shop in solidarity: https://t.co/lr9u9pqXKf— OPEIU (@opeiu) August 15, 2018
    Painters and Allied Trades:
    Monday's event at Glencliff Elementary School marked the new partnership for IUPAT's nonprofit wing, Painters and Allied Trades Children's Hope Foundation (PATCH). #PartnershipWorks #IUPATwins2018 https://t.co/3sitYg9WSc— GoIUPAT✊🏽 (@GoIUPAT) August 10, 2018
    Pride At Work:
    Congrats to #ChristineHallquist -- the first EVER openly transgender candidate for governor just won the Democratic primary in Vermont!https://t.co/H5CREXUEtF— Pride at Work (@PrideatWork) August 15, 2018
    Professional Aviation Safety Specialists:
    Recruitment & retention are key for U.S. government to continue to have the best & brightest civil service in the world. @PASSNational members at the FAA are proud federal employees who serve their country every day by protecting aviation safety. #publicservice #unionsolidarity https://t.co/kZBDz1kEnp— PASS (@PASSNational) August 14, 2018
    Professional and Technical Engineers:
    IFPTE stands with @UniteHereLocal2 and @unitehere in saying that #1job should be enough!! #NerdsAreWithYou #UNIONYES #UNIONPOWER #NOCONTRACTNOPEACE! https://t.co/mBloKhiqS1— IFPTE (@IFPTE) August 15, 2018
    Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Workers:
    The Pioneer Valley Workers Center @PVWC1 in Massachusetts has developed a rapid response network to help immigrant workers targeted by ICE. the article has some good info on how to develop a plan in case of a raid. @labornotes https://t.co/aazmGfKwXQ— RWDSU (@RWDSU) August 17, 2018
    SAG-AFTRA:
    We are pleased to announce that the 2018 SAG-AFTRA Network Television Code has been approved by 93% https://t.co/1P7auni8pI pic.twitter.com/cGr4bQ5qvQ— SAG-AFTRA NEWS (@sagaftranews) August 17, 2018
    School Administrators:
    Jahana Hayes, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, has won the Democratic primary for an open U.S. House of Representative seat in Connecticut's 5th District https://t.co/uXUTVGV8UN— AFSA Leadership (@AFSAUnion) August 15, 2018
    Seafarers:
    SIU Port Agent Georg Kenny (right in both photos) delivered a pro-maritime message last week at the Virginia AFL-CIO Convention in Williamsburg. He’s pictured with (respectively) Senator Tim Kaine and... https://t.co/z7SIbzBoxY— Seafarers Union (@SeafarersUnion) August 14, 2018
    Solidarity Center:
    Get the facts on labor #migration #humantrafficking and #forcedlabor.https://t.co/mGD2BPlT6I pic.twitter.com/smGGlBGUwB— Solidarity Center (@SolidarityCntr) August 17, 2018
    Theatrical Stage Employees:
    IATSE has partnered with @OSHA_DOL to deliver an entertainment industry specific fact sheet and resource, which can be found here: https://t.co/Uyl1r4gUf3 #SafeAndSound2018 pic.twitter.com/OQTE56Riy7— IATSE (@IATSE) August 17, 2018
    Transport Workers:
    Pres Samuelsen met today with union officials from @unitetheunion, the British union representing @AmericanAir workers in the UK, to discuss AA’s attacks on our scope protections. Further meetings are scheduled. pic.twitter.com/pMZNduIqjR— TWU (@transportworker) August 13, 2018
    Transportation Trades Department:
    Assault on airport customer service agents is completely unacceptable—these men and women must be protected. @MachinistsUnion https://t.co/JHu71AdGH9— Transp. Trades Dept. (@TTDAFLCIO) August 16, 2018
    UAW:
    "Voters want less talk and controversy and more action on wage stagnation, lack of job security, health care, and safety on the job and a fair fighting chance for their children’s future.” https://t.co/F05KHCTGLV— UAW (@UAW) August 8, 2018
    UFCW:
    “Someone could walk off the street today and get paid the same as me,” says James Collins, who has worked at Walmart for six years. https://t.co/eZybYagPYl @seattletimes @ChangeWalmart .@abhabhattarai— UFCW (@UFCW) August 17, 2018
    UNITE HERE:
    Stand with hotel workers across North America. @Marriott - one job should be enough to pay bills, raise a family, and retire with dignity.#1job #unitehere pic.twitter.com/OD5nlT3uJy— UNITE HERE #1Job (@unitehere) June 27, 2018
    United Steelworkers:
    “I’ve been a steelworker for ten years and seven years ago my life needed to change. It was a life and death situation. If it wasn’t for my union I wouldn’t be here today. It’s changed my life,” Mike Spiess, Lu 10-00086. #USWLife pic.twitter.com/tRdOvVhP0q— United Steelworkers (@steelworkers) August 17, 2018
    United Students Against Sweatshops:
    Yesterday we shut down @Nike in Georgetown and delivered a warning: Nike can try to run from their responsibilities to garment workers, but they can’t hide. #nikesweatshops https://t.co/68lLzvBXmf— USAS (@USAS) August 12, 2018
    Working America:
    American Workers Just Got a Pay Cut in Economy Trump Calls Great https://t.co/VrDzCJX9kK pic.twitter.com/Tjz4tMSUez— Working America (@WorkingAmerica) August 16, 2018
    Writers Guild of America, East:
    Solidarity with our members in the #ThrillistUnion who are meeting at the WGAEast offices today instead of reporting to work. #1u https://t.co/OIbdvVcw2E— Writers Guild of America, East (@WGAEast) August 13, 2018
    Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 08/17/2018 - 10:48     — Aug 17
  • Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Rich Cordray
    Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Rich Cordray AFL-CIO This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are taking a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Ohio gubernatorial candidate Rich Cordray. Here are some of the key reasons why Cordray is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
    • He has a record of fighting for working people. When he was attorney general of Ohio, he worked to recover more than $2 billion for teachers and retirees who were victims of fraud.
    • Cordray served as the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created to protect families against corporate and Wall Street abuse. Under his leadership, financial institutions were forced to pay back nearly $12 billion to more than 30 million Americans.
    • While attorney general, he launched programs to help working families plan for their retirement goals.
    • Cordray is a proponent of Medicaid expansion.
    • His "Reduced Costs, Reliable Coverage" plan will increase transparency and accountability in the state's health care system.
    • Cordray’s infrastructure plan will repair roads and bridges and invest in public transportation, broadband and clean water projects. These investments also will create jobs.
    • His workforce development plan will ensure every Ohioan has the skills they need to support their families by strengthening two- and four-year college degree programs, vocational school, apprenticeships, certifications and other types of skills training.
    • To improve the economy for Ohio workers, he is focused on supporting homegrown small businesses as well as attracting out-of-state companies.
    • Cordray stands firmly against "right to work" laws.
    • As attorney general, he went after bad employers who routinely misclassified their workers. 
    Learn more about Cordray at his website. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 08/16/2018 - 15:13 Tags: Elections 2018     — Aug 16
  • Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Andy Levin
    Best Candidates for Working People, 2018: Andy Levin Andy Levin for Congress This November's elections are shaping up to be among the most consequential in recent U.S. history. Throughout the summer and fall, we are going to take a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Michigan congressional candidate Andy Levin. Here are some of the key reasons why Levin is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
    • Levin wants to make increasing living standards a part of all trade deals.
    • He favors raising the minimum wage.
    • Levin said he wants to focus on restoring the freedom of working people to organize and bargain collectively.
    • He wants to expand paid family leave. 
    • Levin will fight for equal pay and benefits for all women, particularly women of color.
    • In Michigan, he became the state's first chief workforce officer and created a program, "No Worker Left Behind," which helped more than 162,000 Michiganders get workforce training and another 120,000 get new jobs.
    • He will fight Republican attempts to undermine and privatize Social Security. 
    • Levin advocates for universal public education under local control with well-compensated teachers.
    • He wants to create a comprehensive, long-term program to invest in roads, bridges, sewers, mass transit and other infrastructure.
    • In Congress, he will stand up for trade policies that protect the rights of working people and raise the standard of living for workers in all countries that are involved.
    • He said he wants to change tax policies to stop incentivizing outsourcing.
    • Levin will vote to increase investment in job training and apprenticeships.
    • He wants Congress to pass legislation barring discrimination against LGBTQ-plus people in employment, housing and other aspects of American life.
    • Levin said he wants the United States to move away from the prison industrial complex and favors other criminal justice reforms that diminish the oppression of people of color.
    • He wants comprehensive immigration reform with a clear pathway to citizenship and wants to end family separations at the border.
    • Levin will work to protect the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau so it can continue to protect families that are treated poorly by banks, payday lenders, check cashing stores and others.
    • He wants to ensure access to affordable health care for all Americans by passing Medicare for All and taking on the high cost of prescription drugs.
    • Levin wants to embrace postal banking as a way to give Americans easy access to banking services from a trustworthy source.​
    • He supports a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United in order to bring full disclosure of all money donated to influence elections.
    Learn more about Levin at his website. Kenneth Quinnell Thu, 08/16/2018 - 09:15 Tags: Elections 2018     — Aug 16